Generator regulator



Sept. 19, 1944; R, G. THOMPSON GENERATOR REGULATOR Filed Nov. 29, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 19, 1944. R. G. THOMPSON GENERATOR REGULATOR Filed Nov. 29. 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 SePt- 19, 1944 R. G. THoMPsoN 2,358,482

GENERATOR REGULATOR Filed Nov. 29, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet '3 Patented Sept. 19, 1944 UNITED -sTATEs PATENT ori-ica Y assaut GENERATOR REGULATOR` Russen G. Thom, Elmira, N. rz. v Application November 29, 1941, Serial No. 421,083

This invention relates to generator regulating systems, and more 'particularly tof improved regulating apparatus and systems for use with variable speed generators. l

'Ihe generators used on motor vehicles such as automobiles, airplanes, trucks, buses and the like are usually of the shunt lield type driven by the vehicle propelling, motor, and accordingly the generator is operated throughout a wide range of speed. In order to provide substantially constant voltage and to prevent overload, a regulating system is usually employed which consists of voltage responsive device and a separate current responsive device. 'I 'hese devices operate contacts to control the resistance in the generator iield circuit in accordance with the generator speed and the load requirements.- The contacts operated by these electromagnetic dee 'vices carry a substantial amount or' current in the usual regulating system, and as these contacts have a vibrating operation at high gern1 erator speeds, it has been found that the eiective life of these contacts is comparatively short and their adjustment is very critical and hard to maintain. The adjustment of the magnetic devices employed to operate these contacts is extremely critical and it is very dfiicult to obtain the accuracy of adjustment required to properly respond to definite values of voltage and current, and even when the required accuracy of adjustment is obtained, it often changes due to the adverse conditions to which the apparatus is subjected during operation of the motor vehicle. For these andother reasons, the regulating systems now most generally used on motor vehicles often fail to properly regulate the generator voltage and current thereby causing serious and expensive damage to the electrical equipment of thevehicle.

In view of the above and other considerations, it is proposedin accordance 'with the present invention to provide an improved regulating' system and apparatus wherein the loadl carried by the eld current controlling contacts is reduced to a value ailording long and reliable contact operation, and wherein the electromagnetic devices operating these contacts are of rugged and simple construction permitting more convenient inspection and accurate adjustment and which are arranged to maintain such adjustment irrespective of adverse conditions to which the apparatus may be subjected. It is further proposed to provide such regulating apparatus f wherein the numberpi parts is reduced to a minimum and with a minimum number of parts 3 Claims. (Cl. 20G-93) which are electrically insulateddn order to provide a system and apparatus which may be easily and inexpensively manufactured and yet whichwill be thoroughly eflicient and reliable in operation.

Other objects, purposes and characteristic features of the present invention will appear as the description thereof progresses, during which references will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig, l is an enlarged perspective view showing one form. of regulating apparatus arranged in accordance with the present invention.

2 is a top plan view oi the regulating apparatus shown in Fig. l, the view showing the cover and certain other parts broken away.`

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

. Aorder to maintain substantially constant a storage battery.

The regulating apparatus and system shown in the accompanying drawings may be used in connection with various types of generators, but is more particularly adapted for use with generators of the type employed on automobiles,

' airplanes, trucks, buses and the like for charging storage batteries and for supplying power for operating lights, fans, radios, air-conditioning apparatus and other electrical equipment which may be used on the vehicles. A generator of this type is shown diagrammatically in Figs. 6 and 8 as comprising an armature I0 and iield windings II, and a generator which may be oi" higher capacity is indicated in Fig. 7 as comprising an armature I2 having two parallel field windings I3 and I4. i y

These motor vehicle generators are usually of the shunt iield type and are necessarily operated throughout a wide range of speed. Accordingly,

a device for controlling the generator eld e citation in accordance with the generator voltage and a separate device for also controlling the generator field excitation in accordance with the generator output current are required in y voltage and to prevent overload of the generator at high speed. In the usual generator regulating sysvout or reverse-current relay structions may be used in upper surface of the amount of resistance in the generator iield circuit. f

'- In accordance with the present invention., a

single unit is provided which responds both tothe generator vol as well as to the output current of the generator of contacts operated in to regulate the generator iieid excitation in ac cordance with the generator speed and the l requirement. The form. oi this regulating apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive comp a Isheet-metalbase member d@ having a dat top with down-turned nanges around its edges fo fr ing a rigid supporting structure. The base d@ may be provided with integral. brackets or lugs 2| for mounting the base and parts thereon at a suitable place on the vehicle. apparatus mounted on the base l@ includes a cut and a. single uni structure arranged in accordance with the preswlth an arrangement diiierent combinations ent invention to take the place oi the usual voltage responsive relay and a separate current responsive relay.

The present invention is not particularly con cerned with the details oi construction of the reverse-current relay, and other well known con- Y place of the form illustrated. lThe construction illustrated in Figs. l,

2 and 3 may be generally described as compris= y ing an electromagnet having, two windings, one winding 25 being of comparatively large size wire and the other winding (not shown) being oi comparatively small 'size wire. Both of these windings are wound aro d a central core td,- the reduced diameter lower end of which is shown in Fig; 4. A U-shaped yoke 21 oi magnetic material is provided with an opening in its M portion receiving the reduced diameter end oi core 26 of the electromagnet, and this end portion of the core passes through openings in insulating strips 28 and 29 arranged above and below base 2o. The lower end of core 2d of the electromagnet is threaded to receive a nut '33 whereby the reverse current relay assembly is securely clamped on e 2li, and base 26 is pro;- vided with an enlarge opening the walls oi which are spaced from the downwardly extending end of core 26 so that there is no electrical'nonnection between the base and the parts oi the reverse-current relay. y l

An amature 3|extending between the upper ends of yoke 21 is movably mounted by a rer'. silient metal strip 32, and the armature is noi'.u mally held 'upward away from the upper end of core 26 of the electromagnet by a spring strip 33 secured to armature 3| by rivets 34 which also serve to connect the resilient ystrip 32' to amature 3|. Both the strip 32 and the spi-ing strip 33 are bent downwardly over the edgel oi armature 3|, and the lower end of spring strip 33 engages a bracket screws 36 on the upper end of yoke 21, and screws 36 also serve to secure the resilient strip 32 to yoke 21. l "Y The offset free end of amature 3| is provided with a low resistance contact 39 which is nor-V mally positioned above 'and out of engagement with a similar low resistance contact 4l carried by a stationary bracket 4|. of armature 3|vv is determined by a, bendable curved strirp 42 secured to yoke 21 to engagethe the armature. The-stationary The nonnalposition contact bracket 4l'is secured to but insulated` from the yoke 21 by insulating strips 4i and by rivets ,45 having their stem portions suitablyinsulated from bracket il, and these rivets also serve to secure the armature stop strip 42 to yoke 21. The reverse-current relay operates .in the usual manner to attract amature 3| downwardly toward" the upper end of core 26 when battery charging current above-a predetermined valueilows in the windings of its electromagnet to engage contacts 38-40 against the force' of spring 33. and at other times these contacts are open .to prevent battery through the generator armature.

The single unitary construction for regulating the generator voltage and current in accordance with the present invention is bled upon a magnetic Ayoke formed from a `e piece of magnetic material into a general U struction as shown in Fig. 5. A base portion E@ 4of this yoke is provided with ongs il which receive reduced diameter lower ends Aoi cores E52 and Eid (see Fig. d) of two electro nets. These electromagnets consist oi a voltage gnet having a large number of turns of comparatively small sizewire 5d wound around core b2, and a current magnet having fewer turns oi larger size wire de wound around core E3. The core be oi the voltage et terminates in an enlarged upper end or pole piece 56, and a similar pole piece 61 is provided at the upper end of core b3 of the current magnet. voltage and current electromagnets are so arranged that the current., normally nowing in windings. 5d and 55 produces like poles at pole piece 5d and 5l.

Referring to the magnetic yoke construction shown in Fig. 5, it will be seen that a solid upstanding bank portion t@ is disposed substantially at right angles to the base portion El), and the upper end or portion 3d is bifurcated at 3| to provide armature supporting brackets t2 and t3 which are formed to extend rearwardly substantially parallel with base portionh. An armature te coasting with pole piece `38 of the voltage responsive electromagnet is movably mounted on supporting bracket 32 by a resilient strip do. The rearward end of strip 8o is securely attached to bracket S2 by screws 6l which pass through openings in a retaining strip i3, through openings in strip 63, through openings in a spacing strip 69 and are threaded into tapped openings in bracket 32. A bifurcated spring member lll is secured armature by rivets 1| and a spacingstrip 12, therivets 1| also serving to attach the resilient strip B6 to armature 85. In orderto provide the desired operating magnetic leakage strips 13 are provided beneath the armature to connect pole piece 58 and side .member 60. -I

An armature 15 coacting with pole piece 31 of the current responsive electromagnet is mounted in a very similar manner by a resilient strip 16 on' supporting bracket 63. The rearward end of strip 16 is retained by screw 11 passing through openings in a. continuation ofthe retaining strip B through 'holes in the resilient strip, through holes in aspaclng strip 13 andare threaded info tapped/l openings in bracket B3. A slotted a' d (bifurcated spring member is mounted on le upper Surfac'eof armature -15 by rivets 8| and a spacing strip '32, the vrivets 3| also servir to armature 15.

current from flowing lfrom. the

-shaped con- The on the upper surface ofcharacteristics of armature 03,'

One arm 84 of bifurcated spring member 'l0 is slightly tapered to form a returning spring for armature 65 by engaging the curved end portion of a bendable member 85 which extends upwardly from an upstanding portion 86 of the magnetic yoke. An arm 88 of the bifurcated spring member 90 likewise forms a returningspring for armature l5 by engaging a similar curved end portion of a member 39 which extends upwardly :from front portion 86 of the yoke.

A contact arm 9U is formed by the other portionof bifurcated member l0, and a low resistance Contact 9| is mounted at the forward end of this contact arm 90. Contact 9| normally engages the lower end of a contact screw 92 having a threaded portion received in a tapped opening in a stationary contact bracket 93, and a lock nut 94 is provided to retain the desired vertical `adjustment of contact screw 92 with relation to bracket 93. A slotted contact arm 95 is provided by the other portion of bifurcated strip 80, and

a contact 96 is mounted near the front end of arm' to normally engage the lower end of a contact screw @l having a threaded portion received in a tapped opening in a stationary contact bracket 9B with a lock nut 99 provided to retain the adjusted position of contactscrew 91.

The stationary contact brackets 93 and 98 terminate in enlarged rectangular lower ends which are mounted in electrically insulated relation on iront portion 86 of the magnetic yoke. A single insulating strip is provided to separate the lower ends of brackets 93 and 98 from the front portion 86 of the yoke, and screws I'i pass through openings in brackets 93 and 98 and 'through insulating strips 00 as well as front portion 56 of the yoke to securely clamp the contact brackets in their illustrated position. Screws lill are shown as having enlarged heads separated from the brackets 93 and 99 by insulating washers 902, and suitable .insulating provided 'to electrically insulate the stem portions of the screws |0| from brackets 93 and 98. 'In

order to prevent displacement of brackets 93 and 99 about the screws IBI, dowel pins 493 may be provided in holes in the brackets to extend part way into insulating strip |00.

The magnetic yoke and all the parts thus mounted thereon is secured as s unit on base 20 by the elongated ends of cores 52 and 53 of the voltage and current responsive electromagnets,

the elongated end of these cores passing through openings in insulating plates 28 and 29, and base 29 is provided with enlarged openings, the walls of which are spaced from the end portions of cores 52 and-53, to avoid electrical Contact therewith. The end portion of the extensions of co'res E and 53 are threaded to receive nuts lu wherethe assembly is Lai'.

it will be clear that a downward movement of armature @E will-move contact arm 9i! downwardly to disengage contact 9i -from contact 92, and in the present apparatus, means are also provided for disengaging contact 9S from contact Si by this downward movement of armature For this purpose, an arm l iti is provided on armature the arm extending forwardly and slightly upwardly with an offset portion overlying the forwardly extending portion of contact arm 95. This arrangement permits contact arm 95 only to be operated by movement of armature '|5, but causes both contact arms 95 and 99 to be operated by movement of armature 65. The advantages of this particular contact operation, and its advanbushings may be' securely locked upon the baseA tages particularly in combination with the unitary current and voltage responsive structure of the present invention will later'be fully described in detail.

In order to facilitate the connection of external wires tol the regulating apparatus, suitable terminal strips H2, ||3 and H4 are mounted on base 20 with extending portions provided with suitable tapped openings to receive terminal screws. Referring to Fig. 4, it may be seen that the inner end of terminal strip I l2 is mounted at the lower end of core 26 ofthe reverse-current relay electromagnet beneath nut 30, and accordingly this terminal strip H2 is electrically connected through yoke 2l and armature 3| to contact 39 of the reverse-current relay. This terminal |I2 may be connected by an external conductor to the storage battery on the vehicle. The terminal strip l I3 is mounted on base 20 but electrically insulated therefrom by a screw H6 and nut H7, the stem of the screw` passing through an enlarged hole in the base 20 and through holes in insulating strips 28 and 29. The head of screw H5 is electrically connected to the stationary Contact bracket 98 by an offset extension H8 as shown in Fig. 1, and one end of the windings 54 and 55 of the voltage and current electromagnets lmay be electrically connected to the head of screw M9, The extending end of terminal strip l|3 may be connected by an external conductor to the generator armature.

Two resistance units |20 and 2| which are shown as the carbon type are connected by screws 22 to the T-shaped inner end of terminal strip i i3. The other end of resistance unit |29 is connected by screw 23 to ground or the metal base 20, and the other end of resistance unit i 2| is connected by a screw |24 to anL-shaped plate |25 which is electrically connected to the armature contact arms 9D and95 through core 52, yoke 50-69 and armature 65, the strip |25 being retained beneath the nut |06 threaded on the extension of core 52. The third terminal strip H4 is mounted on the base 2U by a screw |2` and nut |28, the screw |21 being electrically insulated from base 20 the same as screw H6 and being electrically connected by an oiset lug |28 to the stationary contact bracket 92. A third resistance unit E39 is connected at one end by a screw 13| to terminal strip H4, and the other end of resistance |30 is-connected by a screw |32 to plate |25. Each end of the resistance units H2B, lill and |30 may be spaced below the parts to which they are connected by spacing collars 33 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The extending end of terminal strip il@ may be connected by an external conductor to the generatorv eld. A ground 'terminal |35 is provided by an integral odset lug formed from the flange around the edge of base 2,9. l

The ends of terminal strips, l l2, i i3 and lid extend through enlarged openings in the yfront ilange of base 2li as shown in Fig. l, and the ends of these terminal strips are electrically insulated from the edge portion of base 29 by extensions Si of the insulating plate 28. ln order to retain the edges or" the terminal strips against contact with the edges of the openings in base 23, an insulating strip E38 is secured by rivets .199 to the front ange of base 20 with notches cut in the upper edge thereof to receive terminal strips l l2, ||3 and H4. The apparatus mounted above the Cover |49 shown in Figs. 2 and 3 which may have a anged lower edge resting upon base member 2@ and retained in place by screws lidi.

The operation of the present regulating apparatus and the advantages of the various features of construction will be described in` connection with the wiring diagrams shown in Figs'. 6, 7 and 8. In these iigures, certain parts oi the apparatus are shown in a diagrammatic manner,

. and wherever possible, like reference numerals have been used to reier to the same parts throughout all the views. it will also be noted that the positive or (-4-) terminal of the generator and battery are shown as connected to ground which may be the frame of the vehicle, but it is of course clear'that the negative or terminal of the battery and generator could be connested to ground or the frame oi' the vehicle rather than the terminal, or neither of these A terminals could be connected toiground and separate insulated conductors could beA used.

in the syst'em. shown in Figs. 6, 'I and 8, the

i generator is shown as provided to charge a storage battery M5, and when the generator is at rest or is driven below a predetermined speed, the battery isdisconnected from the generatorat the open contacts 33t-d@ of the reverser-current re lay. Referring to Fig. 6, it will benoted that one wire Titi, resistance B2i, and wires M2 and tdi! to the upper or (-i terminal of armature it. However, at low speeds of the generator wherein the' output current and voltage do not exceed predetermined values, the resistances iii and its are not effective to limit the current in the shunt eldii by reason of a shunt circuit completed around resistance i3@ through armature l5, con-4 ,tact arm Q5, contacts @it- Qi and bracket si?, and by reason of a similar shunt circuit completed around` resistance 2i through amature t5, arm 9d, contacts @i--dt and bracket QS.

Under these conditions, full voltage 4of arma-- 1 ture is applied to shunt field il, and the armature current of lthe generator ows from the lower inal through the ground circuit, upwardly through 'lower lwindingsy i5@ of 'the reverse-current relay, downwardly through the reversely arranged windings '25 of the same relay, wire H55,

Sii).

when the speed of the generator is increased to a point where this voltage exceeds a predeter mined value, the current in the windings 5d provides suilcient magnetic force to attract armature 65 against the force of its spring @5.

The attraction ci armature t5 not only opens contacts Sii-92, but byfreasono extension iid, it also opens contacts @ii-9i. This opens the shunt circuit around both the resistances i3@ and 52E so that these resistances are in series in the energizing circuit of the shunt neld it when the voltage of the generator becoines encessive and the current nowing through the eld windings is thereby reduced to a value which is eective to in turn reduce the voltage or the generator below the safe working value for the various paris 4of the electrical system.. This reduced voltage of the generator then reduces `the current in windings '5d to an extent which releases armature S5 and again allows contacts sli-92 and st-tl to close. and if the generator is still being operated at a suciently high rate of speed to cause the output voltage to be excese sive, it will be clear that ature te will again be attracted to open the shunt circuit around.

resistances iti and itil. rl`his cycle of operation of armature t5 will be repeated as long as the speed of the generator is suciently high to tend to produce an excess voltage, and the rate. at which this cycle is repeated will increase as the tendency for the voltage of the generator to increase becomes greater to thereby maintain a substantially constant output voltage of the generator. i

The change in current in' the generator eld it caused by vtheopening ci contacts @i-s and ttf-9i is sucient to produce a considerable induced electromotive force, and this energy stored f in the eld is dissipated Vthrough resistance Bt.

so One end or resistance i2@ is connected to one end ci field winding iithrough the ground cir y cuit and the otherend is connected to the other end of the iield through wires ld and E52, re-

sistance i211, wire itil, resistance i3@ and wire ist. In this manner, the resistance i2@ is effective to dissipate the energy stored in eld t i v in combination with resistances i2i and i3@ and through windings 55, and wire ist` to the upper terminal of armature iti. .This relative direction of current through windingsV i513 and 25 produces .a cumulative magnetic ux which attracts armar ture 3i to engage contacts 3Q and du. The clos? ing of contacts 394-6@ allows battery charging current to ow from the generator armature through the. ground circuit, through battery its, and from the battery-by wire ll, amature iii,

contacts iii-8d, downwardly through windings 25 and back to the upper terminal of armature i@ over the circuit previously traced. The battery charging current then flows through windings 25 in the same direction with. contacts -ii closed as inthe previously traced circuit' with these contacts open, and accordingly amature Si is retained in its attracted position.

The windings 5d of theyoltage responsive electromagnet is connected across the output terminals of generator armature It, or that is the lower-end of this winding is connected to ground while the upper end is connected by wires itt. H59 and 153 to the upper terminal of the generator.' Thus the current in windings 55 is proportional to the output voltage of the generator, and

. ly reduce the generator voltage, and as the shunt yet the normal current owing through resist ance lit from the armature of the generator does not pass through contacts iii-Q2 and a`= til', and accordingly this arrangement or resist ance i2@ does not increase the load which must be carried by these contacts.

ln vthe usual form of regulating systemathe total resistance inserted into the' held circuit at high generator speeds is shunted by two 'sets oi contacts arranged in series', one set being op= erated by a voltage relay and the other by a sep: arate currentrelay. Tins total resistance must be of a considerable value in order to sumcient circuit around all of the resistances is opened by either oi these sets oi contacts in the usual arrangement, the heating or arcing' from this heavy load on the set o contacts which opens is su'lcient to seriously damage the contacteurfaces, and on repeated operation it has been found that contacts arranged in -this manner will stick or weld together and cause serious damage to the electrical equipment. In the pres` ent system however, two separate resistances |29 .f

Thus, only trolled by contacts 9|92 armature 65 when the voltage of the generator becomes excessive. In this manner the total resistance is inserted in the field circuit with the load divided or apportioned between the two sets of contacts.

In the form of the apparatus shown in the accompanying drawings, the extension of armature 65 is arranged so that it may be bent with a suitable tool for purposes of adjustment of the relative operation between the two sets of contacts operated by armature 65. In this arrangement, extension lll) may be adjusted s0 that both sets of contacts are operated simultaneously by armature 65, or it may be adjusted so that one set of contacts is operated slightly in advance of the operation of the other set.

Referring again to Fig. 6, it will be clear that the battery |45 may become discharged to such an extent that the charging current supplied by the generator will become excessive without allowing the output voltage of the generator to' reach a value which causes armature 65 to be attracted. In this instance, the excessive current owing through windings 55 ture to be attracted thereby opening contacts 96-91 to remove the shunt around resistance |30 and thereby cause a reduction in the eld current. In most instances, it has been found that the charging current of the battery will be reduced sufficiently to prevent damage by inserting only the resistance 30 in the `iield cir- I cuit, and accordingly armature 15 is arranged to operate only contacts 96-91. However, if desircd, it will be clear that an extension could be provided on armature 15 which would overlie contact arm 90 and thereby open contacts 9| 92 as well as contacts 96-91 to insert both of resistances 2| and |30 into the iield circuit by operationof armature 15.

The wiring diagram shown similar to that shown in Fig. 6 except that the regulating apparatus of the present invention has been applied to a generator having two parallel iield windings. The circuit for the windings of the voltage and current responsive electromagnets and the reverse-current relay are the same as in Fig. 6, but in Fig. 7 resistance |2| is connected in series with Aone of the field windings I3 by wires |62, |63, |64 and |65, and resistance |30 is connected in series with the other eld windings. by wires |62, |63, When contacts 9|-92 are closed, a shunt circuit is completed around resistance |2| and when contacts lElli-91 are closed a shunt circuit is completed around resistance |30 the same as in Fig. 6.

When the generator voltage becomes excessive in the system shown in Fig. '7. it will be clear that contacts 9|92 and 96-91 are open to insert resistance |2| into the energizing circuit for field windings |3 and to insert resistance |30 into in Fig. 7 is very the energizing circuit for field windings 4. The

values of resistances |2| and |30 are sufficient to reduce the generator neld to an extent which prevents an excess voltage being generated. When the output current of the generator becomes excessive without generating an excess voltage, it will be'clear that the current in windings 4 only is reduced by the opening of contacts 96-91, and it has beenfound -that it is ordinarily suflicient to merely reduce the cur- CallSeS armarent in one of the field windings under these conditions.

In Fig. 8,'the voltage and current responsive electromagnets and the reverse-currentl relay are connected in circuits the same as in Figs. 6 and 7, but in Fig. 8 additional windings |10 is provided on the voltage responsive electromagnet. The additional windings |10 is connected in series with resistance but when contacts 96-91 are closed a shunt circuit is completed around both windings |10 and resistance |30 so that the energizing circuit for eld windings is over wires |53, |52 resistance |2| shunted by contacts Eil-92, wire |5|, armature 15, arm 95, contacts 96-91, wires |1| and |12. However, when contacts 96-91 open the iield circuit includes resistance |30 and windings |10, this circuit including wires |53 and |52, resistance |2| shunted by contact 92-93,.wire |13, windings |10, wire |14, resistance |30 and wire |12. The windings |10 are so arranged on the voltage -responsive electromagnet that the current owing therethrough when contacts 96-91 open produces a magnetic iiux which adds to the magnetic flux produced by the current flowing in windings 54. In this manner, the opening of contacts 96-91 will increase the magnetic attraction on armature without a change in the generator voltage.

The additional magnetic attraction on armature 65 after contacts 96-91 open provides increased assurance that armature 65 will operate after the output current of the generator has becorne excessive, and in order to provide more positive operation of both sets of contacts 9|-92 and 96-91 by armature 65, armature extension ||0 may be bent so that the initial movement of armature 65 causes contacts 96-91 to open before contacts 9|-92 are opened by thefsubsequent movement of the armature. In this manner, an excess generator voltage will operate on armature 65 to open contacts 96-91 during the initial movement of the armature, and after these contacts have opened, the current flowing in windings |10 provides additional pull on armature 65 to provide greater assurance that contacts 9|-92 will be opened.

In each of the systems shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, .it will be clear that the generator eld excitation is regulated by the operation of two sets of contacts individually controlling the shunt circuits around two resistances, and these two sets of contacts are operated independently or in combination by the apparatus of the present' invention to obtain effective regulation of the generator voltage and current. In vthis manner, the contact load in controlling the iield current is distributed or apportioned between these two sets of contacts so that the arcing and heating of each set of contacts is reduced to a point which greatly Vincreases the eiective life of the contact surfaces. In the present regulating apparatus,v this operation of the two sets of contacts is effected by a single unit including a single integral magnetic yoke carrying a voltage-responsive electromagnet as well as a current-responsive electromagnet with individually operable armatures coacting with these electromagnets.

The advantages of this single unit construction may be more fully described with reference to Fig. 5. In order that the armatures 65 and 15 may be made to respond to critical values of voltage and current, it is necessary to accurately adjust the air gap or the normal position of the armature with respect to the end of the associated electromagnet. This air gap may be adjusted in the present structure by bending the bifurcated portions @2 and d3 relative to rear portion t@ of the magnetic yoke, and in order to aord convenient are out near the bend forming the connection between brackets t2' and d3 and the rear portion 6@ of the yoke. The slot @i separating bracket @2' conveniently made by bending upstanding por'- tions and 239 oi iront portion @t oi the magnetic yoke. The relative opening of the two sets oi contacts ill-@J2 and .Qd- Qi by operation or" armature 65 may also be adjusted by bending armature extension i i@ es previously poindcut.' in each case it will be clear that the adjustment is made by bending an individuai member particularly designed for this purpose, and when this adjustment is made it cannot be changed by jars or vibration to which the apparatus is ordinarily subjected. it will also be -clear that each bendable portion is'an integral part of a, rigid member so that the adjustment of one of these bendable portions in no way affects the adjustment of the other bendable portions.

Another feature of the unitary construction of the present regulating apparatus is the increased rigidity Which prevents displacement of any one part with relation to the others so that the critical adjustment of the various parts with relation to each other may be maintained irrespective of adverse conditions to which the ap paratus may be subjected. it will aiso be clear that when cover l@ is removed, all of the vital parts are accessible and are inconvenient position for inspection and adjusitinent.

The present regulating mecha is also formed by a minimum number oi parts, all of `which maybe easily and inexpensively manufac tured. The number. of parts which are elec tricaliy insulated has also been reduced to a minimum. In other words, the two armatures' G5 and i5 are electrically interconnected and are at the same potential so that no insulation is required between these two relatively moving parts as in the usual system, thereby providing a more rigid and less complicated mechanical arrangement foramounting these armatures.

It isto be understood that various changes adjustment in this manner, slots or openings llt :may be made in the specic construction shown, and certain features thereof may be employed Without others, without departing from theopresent invention as it is defined in the accom-- panying claims.

The invention claimed is:

i. In a regulating system, the combination or a magnetic yoke comprising a base portion and opstanding side portions, a plurality of electromagnets each having a core connected to the' base portion of said yoke, a plurality of individually bendable portions on one of the upstanding side portions or' said yolre, an armature movably mounted on each oiaaid bendable portions to coact with an associated one of said cores, a plurality of individually bendable proiections on the other of the upstanding sideportions of said yolre, spring means acting between each of said armatures and the associatedone of said bendable projections, a contact arm se- -cured to each o said armatures, and a bendable extension on one oi said armatures for operating the contact arm secured to another oi said armatures. I

2. 'in a regulating system, the combination of a magnetic yoke comprising a base portion and upstanding side portions, a plurality of electromagnets each having a core connected to the 4base portion of said yoke, a plurality of individually bendable portions on one of the upa standing side portions of said yoke, an armature movably mounted on each of said bendable portions to coact 'with an associated one of said to said base portion, spaced armature support' ing brackets formed by a biiurcated outwardly bent end portion of the side portion of said yoke,

anarniature coacting with each of said electromagnets, a resilient strip connecting each of said armatures with one of said supporting brackets, L

and 'means affording individual adjustment of the operation of said armatures by bending each of said supporting brackets relative to the side portion of said yoke, said means comprising connecting portions between the brackets and the side portion having a reduced cross section.

RUSSELL G. THOMPSON. 

